2019 Best for Home

Best Antique Dealer AND Best Consignment StoreThe Amazing Garage SaleForget Yelp. Customers at The Amazing Garage Sale leave their rave reviews of this hip consignment shop on the store’s actual wall, written in marker. That feels good to shop Owner Judi Lesta, who says her customers are like family. “My shop is my art,” she says. “It’s my gallery.” Here’s a sample of the reviews customers have left: “Coming here is a spiritual experience” and “I cannot tell you how refreshing this store is for me” and “Thanks to Judi, I have a house full of wonderful furniture.” For the uninitiated, the store is a treasure trove of jewelry, antiques, home decor, furniture and art. 4919 Broadway, Boulder, 303.447.0417, theamazinggaragesale.com.

Best Appliance StoreSpecialty ApplianceReady to give your kitchen a Pinterest-worthy remodel? Want a more efficient laundry room? Or, maybe you want to spruce up your outdoor living space and stretch the barbecue season through the fall. From the practical (cooktops, washers, dryers) to the fun (wine storage and top-notch grills), Specialty Appliance is well stocked with all the appliances that keep your kitchen, laundry room and outdoor living spaces running smoothly. “Being locally owned and operated, in addition to the fact that we do all of our own installations, is what sets us apart,” says Stephanie Shephard, executive director for marketing and events. The store carries several brands, ranging from luxury brands like Sub-Zero and Wolf to budget-friendly appliances from Whirlpool and KitchenAid. 305 McCaslin Blvd., #1, Louisville, 303.516.4015, buyfromsa.com.

Best Art GalleryBoulder Arts & Crafts GalleryDid you know that Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, which has been in Boulder since 1971, is one of the oldest artist cooperatives in America? The store stocks more than 20,000 items — ranging from triathlete-turned-artist Jen Lesea’s pendants and bracelets featuring the Rocky Mountains to ceramicist Brenda Neely’s fantastical designs. Step inside this Pearl Street wonderland, and you’ll find paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, sculptures, stained glass and more. “Customers love how much art we have under one roof, and that much of it is affordable,” says Adrienne Arnst, gallery manager. Also, about half of the artists who are featured in the shop are from Colorado and you’ll tell from their art that our fine state is their muse. 1421 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.443.3683, boulderartsandcrafts.com.

Best Bedding/Mattress Store AND Best Green Products StoreVerlo MattressHave you heard of the sleep hygiene movement? Hint: It has nothing to do with brushing your teeth before bed (but, yes, keep doing that). Rather, clean sleep is all about maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and keeping blue lights from interrupting your sleep. But, if you find yourself tossing and turning, it may be time to invest in a new mattress. Verlo has an in-store Comfort Adjustment, which lets you adjust how soft or firm you want your mattress to be. Plus, Verlo mattresses are made withspecialty fibers and gel memory foams to help you regulate temperature. Dare we say they’ve got you covered from A to ZZZ? 3080 Valmont Road, #130, Boulder, 303.447.1154, verlo.com.

Best Floor Covering StoreMcDonald Carpet One Floor & HomeNew homeowners in the design phase and those ready to renovate their old floors should pay attention because McDonald Carpet One Floor & Home has a message for you: “We love how our customers are like family to us, and we truly cherish the friendships we create with them when we help them design their new floors,” says Co-Owner Scott McDonald. The business is family-owned but also part of one of the biggest flooring cooperatives in the world, which means customers save real money. McDonald offers carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl, area rugs and more with exclusive brands that set the industry standard for beauty, style and quality. McDonald is so committed to your happiness in their products and workmanship that if the floor you create together is not “as beautiful as the one in your dreams,” they’ll replace it for free. 6367 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720.432.2916, mcdonaldcarpetoneboulder.com.

Best Hardware StoreMcGuckin HardwarePeople have been coming to McGuckin for 64 years because of its peerless customer service, deep product knowledge and terrific savings. As Boulder businesses go, that’s a very, very long time. Nuts and bolts, hardware, paint, housewares, garden gear, all the stuff you’d expect from Boulder’s best hardware store is exactly what you get, but there’s more. Let’s start with the big ones for CU students: carpet cleaning equipment rentals, propane exchange, 10-pound bags of ice and SodaStream exchange. Any of these could become crucial at a moment’s notice. And if you buy a grill or furniture from McGuckin and can’t be bothered to put it together, they’ll do it for a fair fee. Got a weekend fishing trip planned? Don’t forget the thing that keeps you legal — a license. Get it, and get everything, at McGuckin. 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303.443.1822, mcguckin.com.

Best Hardwood FlooringMagnus Anderson“Our number one goal over the past 14 years in business is to have happy customers who feel that we exceeded their expectations and love their wood floors,” says Co-Owner Kathy Hagen. Achieving this award five years running is proof positive of customer satisfaction for this locally owned and operated business that focuses on customer service and quality work. Magnus Anderson installs, sands and finishes (or refinishes) wood floors using state-of-the-art dustless sanding technology. “Besides our focus on quality work, great customer service, and wonderful employees, we use the best dust-free sanding technology available,” Hagen adds. “The wood dust created in the sanding process is evacuated out of your house, so there is no mess of fine wood dust to clean up after we are done. You are left with beautiful wood floors.” 3000 Airport Drive, #402A, Erie, 303.437.0610, idealhardwoodflooring.com.

Best Home Decor StoreBartlett InteriorsSisters and lifelong Boulderites Jane and Nancy Bartlett have been designing Boulder since 1984. When big box retailers don’t have the furniture your refined eye craves, and when you want an interior design partner who follows YOUR lead, Bartlett Interiors welcomes you with endless creative opportunities. The Bartletts’ goal is to “make your home true to you.” Bartlett Interiors has the largest library of upholstery, drapery and fabrics in Boulder County, so expect to spend some time browsing! Window coverings? They’ve indeed got you covered with many gorgeous choices in any particular decorating style. Bartlett Interiors has the resources of a huge store, but Jane and Nancy keep it personal, working with each client on their terms and helping them see their design dreams come true. 2020 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.442.5194, bartlettinteriors.com.

Best Imported Goods StoreIndochine Home + GardenSince 1995, Indochine Home + Garden has been Boulder’s foremost purveyor of authentic quality Asian furniture, antiques and hand-crafted items at affordable prices. Owner Hugo Brooks’ significant experience doing business in Asia paved the way for him to become a direct importer. Brooks travels to Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, meets the traders and craftsmen and purchases directly. Why does it matter? Because he puts his own neck on the line to ensure the quality and authenticity of purchases. Also: No middlemen means savings passed on to customers. Indochine has a huge and ever-changing assortment of unique, hand-selected Asian imports including dining tables and chairs, sacred art and buddha statues, cabinets, side boards, entertainment centers, lamps and lighting, pillows, and a lot more. 7123 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 303.444.7734, indochinehomeimport.com.

Best Place to Buy Custom CountertopsMoros FabricationMoros Fabrication boasts the reputation one wants when it comes to custom countertops. In addition to their many years of experience, the company has also won numerous Boulder County Gold Awards in previous years. Choose from a high-quality selection of granite and marble and Moros can install beautiful counter tops for tub decks, fireplace surrounds, bathroom vanities, bar tops and shower walls. “We strive to offer great customer service and great quality, along with building personal relationships with our customers,” says Owner Marty Moros. “We are very quality-oriented. Even when problems arise, we aim to make sure that all of the details are correct. We are also very aware of our customer’s request and expectations of a high-quality experience from beginning to end.” 3871 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.473.0111, morosfabrication.com.

Best Place to Buy Window TreatmentsInnovative OpeningsInnovative Openings takes a full-service approach to window treatments. In addition to their impressive product showroom, the company provides in-home consultations, measuring and installation, as well as after-sale repair service. “It is our hard-working staff that make the difference by taking care of our customers,” says Co-Owner Rick Pease. In addition to being a local retailer for the past 39 years, Innovative Openings also manufactures the nationally-recognized shade brands Insolroll Solar Screen Shades and Oasis Patio Shades. “Making our own products allows us to offer better quality control and faster lead-times,” says Pease. Also, the DIY program at Innovative Openings provides customers with high-quality custom blinds and shades at a price point that competes with online and big box retailers. 667 S. Pierce Ave., Louisville, 303.476.2065, innovativeopenings.com.

Best Place to Buy Outdoor Furniture AND Best Ski/Snowboard StoreChristy SportsChristy Sports is a household name in sports gear and their services aren’t limited to the winter time.”Christy Sports not only offers great product and services in the winter, but we do the same in the summer with patio furniture,” says Manager Jason Ball. “We are always exploring new and better ways to create the best customer service experience out there.” Despite their growth, Christy Sports has managed to maintain a small-town shopping experience for customers and employees alike. “We still have that small company feel,” says Ball. “At the bigger shops the people just turn into numbers. We really care about our employees.” Season rentals start on Aug. 27, so head to Christy Sports to get outfitted for winter fun. 2000 30th St., Boulder, 303.442.2493, christysports.com.